Vitamin B12 warning: Avoid cyanocobalamin (choose methylcobalamin instead)

[Guest guest]

NaturalNews Insider Alert ( www.NaturalNews.com ) -

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Dear

NaturalNews readers,

One of the pitfalls of pursuing a healthy diet is that we are sometimes blind

to nutrients we may be missing. And in the world of healthy eating, one of the

most common nutrient deficiencies involves vitamin B-12, a crucial nutrient for

nerve health and the construction of red blood cells that carry oxygen

throughout your body.

Vitamin B-12 deficiency is especially common among vegetarians and vegans,

but it's also surprisingly common in meat eaters, too. Why? Because vitamin

B-12 can only be absorbed in the small intestine, and due to common intestinal

ailments, even many meat eaters who consume high levels of B-12 are unable to absorb it in

their gut.

This leads to a series of seemingly " mystery " health symptoms that

actually have a simple common cause: Vitamin B-12 deficiency!

Symptoms of B-12

deficiency

B-12 deficiency is shockingly widespread. Studies now show that up to 40% of the population

may be deficient in vitamin B-12 (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7595423.stm).

Here are some of the most common symptoms of deficiency (do you experience any

of these?):

* Chest pain or shortness of breath

* Fatigue or unexplained weakness

* Dizziness, trouble with balance, and fainting

* Confusion, memory loss or dementia

* Coldness, numbness or tingling in the hands and feet

* Slow reflexes or diminished nervous system function

* Pale skin or yellowing of the skin

* Sore mouth and tongue

.... in addition, vitamin B-12 deficiency can actually cause brain shrinkage,

according to a University of Oxford study (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7595423.stm).

Although more work needs to be done, research is already suggesting a link

between vitamin B-12 deficiency and Alzheimer's.

If you (or someone you know) shows any of the symptoms listed above, I urge you

to immediately investigate vitamin

B-12 and determine if a deficiency in this nutrient may be

causing your symptoms!

Again, vitamin B-12 deficiency is especially common in vegans and vegetarians

because typical vitamin B-12 sources (meats, yogurt, etc.) are simply not

present in their diets. But even meat eaters can be deficient in B-12 due to

poor digestion. This is especially true for older people who suffer a

diminished ability to absorb nutrients in their small intestine.

In addition, diabetes medications and even pain pills can interfere with B-12

absorption, and intestinal parasites can also strongly block its absorption in

the gut.

Solutions for vitamin

B-12

Traditionally, people who are deficient in vitamin B-12 have received injections of B-12. This

is extremely effective because it bypasses the digestive tract and goes right

into the bloodstream. But it has one obvious downside: It requires being

injected! So most people aren't interested in this method.

Instead, most people supplement their vitamin B-12 using nutritional supplements.

But here's where this can go wrong: The most commonly available form of vitamin

B-12 on the market is the cheap synthetic form that's actually bound to a

cyanide molecule (yes, cyanide, the poison). It's called cyanocobalamin, and

you'll find it in all the cheap vitamins made by pharmaceutical companies and

sold at grocery stores and big box stores.

Action item:

If you have any vitamin B-12 supplements, check the ingredients label right now

to see what form of vitamin B-12 they contain. If they contain cyanocobalamin,

throw them out!

Cyanocobalamin is a cheap,

synthetic chemical made in a laboratory. It's virtually impossible

for you to find this form in nature. Low-end vitamin manufacturers use it

because it can be bought in bulk and added to products with claims that they

" contain vitamin B-12! " What they don't tell you is that the vitamin

is bound to a toxic, poisonous cyanide molecule that must then be removed from

your body by your liver. Cyanocobalamin is also up to 100 times cheaper

than the higher quality methylcobalamin

which we'll talk about below.

As Wikipedia explains: " A

common synthetic form of the vitamin, cyanocobalamin, does not occur in nature,

but is used in many pharmaceuticals and supplements, and as a food additive,

because of its lower cost. In the body it is converted to the physiological

forms, methylcobalamin and adenosylcobalamin, leaving behind the

cyanide... " (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamin_B12)

Removing the cyanide molecule from the vitamin and then flushing it out of your

body requires using up so-called " methyl groups " of molecules in your

body that are needed to fight things like homocysteine (high levels cause heart

disease). By taking low-quality cyanobalamin, you're actually stealing methyl groups from your

body and making it do more work at the biochemical level. This

uses up substances such as glutathione that are often in short supply anyway,

potentially worsening your overall health situation rather than helping it.

This is one of the reasons why low-grade vitamins may actually be worse for

your body than taking nothing at all!

Cyanocobalamin, in summary, is a low-grade, low-quality and slightly toxic (cyanide) form of

vitamin B-12 that's used by all the cheap vitamin manufacturers. I recommend

avoiding it completely. It won't kill you to take it, of course, but there's a

better solution for B-12.

The better choice:

Methylcobalamin

The proper form of vitamin B-12 to supplement is called methylcobalamin.

This is the form that exists in nature, and it is pre-methylated, meaning it's

ready for your biochemistry to put to immediate use. Methylcobalamin has

several key advantages over cyanocobalamin:

* Increased absorption

* Better retention in tissues

* Contains no toxic cyanide

* Supports production of SAMe

As explained by Ed Sharpe:

" The coenzyme form of

vitamin B12 is known as methylcobalamin or methyl B12. It's the only form of

vitamin B12 which can directly participate in homocysteine metabolism. In

addition, converting homocysteine to methionine via methyl B12 generates an increased

supply of SAMe (S-adenosyl methionine), the body's most important methyl

donor. " (http://www.health101.org/art_methylcobalamin.htm)

Every informed nutritionist knows that methylcobalamin is far superior to

cyanocobalamin. That's why companies like Ola Loa (www.DrinkYourVitamins.com)

use only the high-end " methyl " form of B-12.

Why 99% of vitamin

B-12 supplements are wasted

Taking vitamin B-12 as an oral dose is largely a waste of money. As much as 99%

of what you swallow is not even absorbed... it's just passed through your body.

(http://www.health101.org/art_methylcobalamin.htm)

There are really only three methods for absorbing vitamin B-12 that reliably

work:

#1) B-12 injections.

#2) Sublingual absorption.

#3) Skin absorption.

B-12 injections obviously require injections from a trained medical

professional, so few people pursue this route. Sublingual absorption is a

viable route, but nearly all the sublingual B-12 products use the cyanocobalamin form

of the vitamin (with the cyanide molecule).

A vitamin B-12 skin patch is now available that delivers methylcobalamin

through the skin, using a small medical-grade patch placed behind the ear. Each

patch delivers 1000

mcg of methylcobalamin (1,666% DV) in a steady release over a

1-2 day period, after which the patch may be removed and discarded.

In addition to methylcobalamin, each path also delivers 400mcg of Folic Acid

(another form of a B vitamin), which is widely known to work synergistically

with methylcobalamin to help support healthy heart function and nervous system

function*.

B-12 energy patch

works through skin absorption

The B-12 Energy

Patch is available now in packs of 8 patches (a 1-2 month

supply) from the NaturalNews Store. This 8-pack carries a list price of $39.95,

but through our volume purchasing, we are able to offer it to NaturalNews

readers at 53% off

the list price.

When purchased in a 3-pack (total of 24 patches), the price is lowered even

more to 57% off

the list price.

Click here to see the products in our store.

* These products are not intended to treat, diagnose, prevent or cure any

disease.

What customers say

about this B-12 patch

(From Amazon.com) " For me a much better alternative to effective

sublingual pills "

" B12 is running low

in my family tree. A couple of relatives have been regular at getting B12

shots. I never felt like I needed the shots, because I thought I could get by

with red meat, liver and sublingual pills. I decided to try the patches just to

see... I did not expect them to be more effective than sublingual pills.

I must say I was wrong.

From the first patch I noticed the boost, which is at first more subtle than

the more noticeable boost of the sublingual pills giving you more B12 in a

shorter time span. But it picks up over time and feels way more efficient. By

way of example, I used the big plate in my road bike and did not pant at the

top of three bad climbs hours after getting the patch. To get this kind of effect

with sublingual pills after getting low of B12 would take over ten days for me

and quite a bit of dedication remembering to keep supplementing. It can get

rather tedious waiting for the pills to dissolve under the tongue.

The second day I used two

patches right behind the ear, but they both fell off, presumably from the sweat

biking. Yet the day before the one patch I tried less close to the ear stayed

put biking and after two showers, and I had no dropped patches since. If you

exercise, watch out for areas where sweat would accumulate.

I think there is no

comparison between this brand and the other one advertised. For four bucks

more, you get half the patches and the wrong type of B12 -- cyanocobalamin

instead of methylcobalamin. Read about it because cyanocobalamin has to be

turned into methylcobalamin by the liver. You can spare that. My doctor put me

on cyanocobalamin initially and I turned to methylcobalamin with much greater

results. Also, this brand I review has the daily allowance of folic acid as an

added bonus (read up on the benefits of taking folic acid with B12), rather

than selenium.

I've had no side effects

and no skin reactions with this product. I am so satisfied I have ordered a

B-complex as a patch from a different company. It is advised to have a

B-complex if you supplement in big doses with any vitamin of the B

family. "

Click here to see the products in our store.

They're discounted right now at an incredible price through the

NaturalNews Store.

Whatever form of vitamin B-12 you use, remember this: avoid cyanocobalamin!

(Unless you enjoy eating cyanide, that is...)

Additional sources for

this story include:

http://www.dadamo.com/B2blogs/blogs/index.php/2004/02/07/cyanocobalamin-versus-methylcobalamin?blog=27

Ting R, Szeto C, Chan M, Ma K, Chow K (2006). " Risk factors of vitamin

B(12) deficiency in patients receiving metformin " . Arch Intern Med 166

(18): 1975–9

http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/166/18/1975

- Mike , the Health Ranger

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[Guest guest]

Yes !!! Buy only the methyl form...this is an example of that:

http://www.iherb.com/Jarrow-Formulas-Methyl-B-12-1000-mcg-100-Lozenges/129?at=0

Cheers,

JOT

[Guest guest]

Deffo cheaper from iherb but once you add postage and package maybe about the

same ?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Ddrugstore & field-keyw\

ords=B12+lozengers

>

>

> Yes !!! Buy only the methyl form...this is an example of that:

>

>

http://www.iherb.com/Jarrow-Formulas-Methyl-B-12-1000-mcg-100-Lozenges/129?at=0

>

> Cheers,

> JOT

>

[Guest guest]

JOT, that's such a good price from iherb in California (the equivalent of £4.53).  The exact same item is available on Amazon UK for £23.47!  That's quite a mark up!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jarrow-Formulas-Methyl-B-12-Lozenges/dp/B002FJW3ZY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8 & qid=1308770927 & sr=8-2

Jackie x

On Wed, Jun 22, 2011 at 2:46 PM, jitterjotter <jitterjotter@...> wrote:

 

Yes !!! Buy only the methyl form...this is an example of that:

http://www.iherb.com/Jarrow-Formulas-Methyl-B-12-1000-mcg-100-Lozenges/129?at=0

Cheers,

JOT

[Guest guest]

Hi J:

Sometimes Iherb does it right and sometimes their prices are much higher than

amazon.com.us.....I always check both places.

But the number one thing to know about taking B vitamins is that if you are

taking a B12 supplement, you must also take a B complex with it. It doesn't

matter what B vitamin you are trying to raise, you must always take a B complex

with it. Whether it is Biotin, Folate, B6, etc. If you take the singular

supplement without taking a B complex as well, your B's will get out of sorts

and cause even more problems. I think people are not told this enough....

I like the Jarrow methyl ...they really give me a boost immediately. I like to

take one mid afternoon for a burst of energy.

Cheers,

JOT

> JOT, that's such a good price from iherb in California (the equivalent of

> £4.53). The exact same item is available on Amazon UK for £23.47! That's

quite a mark up!

[Ed]

[Guest guest]

I am so grateful to JOT & for recommending iherb.

I have bought most of my supplements from them & saved a fortune!

I bought some Solgar Chromium Picolinate from my local health food store and it

cost £13.21 for 60 capsules, at iherb they are selling 120 capsules (exact same

product & brand) for £5.50!!

I am all for supporting my local health food store, but that's quite a

difference in cost, especially when you are buying multiple supplements.

x

>

> JOT, that's such a good price from iherb in California (the equivalent of

> £4.53). The exact same item is available on Amazon UK for £23.47! That's

> quite a mark up!

[Guest guest]

Take the complete B's also....when you take one B vitamin to allow the body to get the best from it you should take it alongside a B complex. Similarly the same with any individual minerals you need to take them also with a multi-mineral.....dont waste them they support heart health adrenal health and brain/nerve function... Sally xx

Thanks for this Sheila. Yes, I checked and there it is on my Holland and Barrett order which arrived just yesterday. As well as Selenium and ginseng, I also ordered two huge pots of Complete B vits, oh dear, what a waste of money, but lesson learned.Thank you.Jackie xB-12 they contain. If they contain cyanocobalamin, throw them out!Cyanocobalamin is a cheap, synthetic chemical made in a laboratory.

[Guest guest]

Arghh, I've just checked my Adrenomax from Nutri & the " Fatigued to fantastic " B

complex and they both have the cyanocobalamin in them!!

I can't afford to throw them away so will finish what I have, but is there such

a thing as a multi-b complex without the cyanocobalamin in?

(I have the Jarrow B12 that are fine btw)

Thanks,

x

[Guest guest]

Hi :

It is very difficult to find a B-complex which has the methyl form of B12...It

is also difficult to find Vitamin A in beta carotene form. Harder with the B12.

But this is what I was saying about that...... In the complex we are not getting

huge amounts of B12 anyway, that is why we also supplement with methyl B12...the

majority of the B12 will be in methyl form. Don't throw out your B-complex.....I

don't throw mine out...They may not be the best of the best, but we need those

other B vitamins with the B12 supplement.

I'm certainly not losing any sleep over this.

Cheers,

JOT

> Arghh, I've just checked my Adrenomax from Nutri & the " Fatigued to fantastic "

B complex and they both have the cyanocobalamin in them!!

> I can't afford to throw them away so will finish what I have, but is there

such a thing as a multi-b complex without the cyanocobalamin in?

>

> (I have the Jarrow B12 that are fine btw)

>

> Thanks,

> x

>

[Guest guest]

http://www.bigvits.co.uk/product.asp?pid=309 & bid=11

The above company supply Jarrow Formulas' B-right which is a good

B-complex used by many members of the Pernicious Anaemia Society

including myself and contains the methylcobalimin form of B12. It is not cheap

at £18.25 for 60 capsules but it is good

However, as it is reckoned that only 1% of the B12 in a swallowed tablet is

absorbed ,the amount of cyanide in the tablets you already

have would be very small, but of course future purchases should

be methyl.

Ginny B.

>

> Arghh, I've just checked my Adrenomax from Nutri & the " Fatigued to fantastic "

B complex and they both have the cyanocobalamin in them!!

> I can't afford to throw them away so will finish what I have, but is there

such a thing as a multi-b complex without the cyanocobalamin in?

>

> (I have the Jarrow B12 that are fine btw)

>

> Thanks,

> x

>